Celebrating the unwavering spirit, compassion, and generosity that touched the hearts of countless individuals and communities across Bangladesh.
Ruby Ghuznavi was a trailblazer and a true visionary, renowned for her immeasurable contributions to the revival of natural dyes, facilitating the commercialisation of local crafts while being a beacon of hope for countless women across Bangladesh.
As a founding member of several organisations, including the National Crafts Council of Bangladesh and KARIKA, Ruby devoted her life to nurturing and promoting the beauty and ingenuity of local craftsmanship. With the establishment of Aranya Crafts, a fair-trade micro-enterprise specialising in natural dye crafts, she set out to showcase the full potential of these timeless techniques to the world. As the Founder and Managing Director of Aranya Crafts from 1990 to 2011, Ruby was the driving force behind the standardisation of 20 colourfast dyes, providing an endless spectrum of hues for the world to admire.
Ruby was a figurehead in her field, receiving numerous accolades and national awards for her tireless efforts in the craft sector. Her writing was a testament to her unwavering passion, as she wrote articles and presented papers on textiles and natural dyes at conferences worldwide.
Nawshin Khair Creative and Managing Director, Aranya Crafts
Ruby Ghuznavi’s influence in my life was as enriching as it was astounding. Her guidance to me to take Aranya forward became one of the most important lessons of my life. For the past 8 years we have shared the same mission – the survival of Aranya and improving the lives of craftspeople. When she invited me into her world, I began to realize that she was an institute in her own right. I was perhaps quite a difficult person to teach – brimming with new age ideas, but her steadfast intention in guiding me in what it takes to be authentic is what I value the most now. As I explored the world of craft with Ruby Chachi, I met her friends, her confidants, her fellow craft practitioners from all over the world, all ready to share their knowledge with me. I soon understood that she was like a mother to the artisan communities we worked with and a beacon of hope for the rest of us. She has been a Godsend to this community, someone who has made sure that the immense value handicraft holds is recognised. The unique natural dye pallets she introduced through Aranya is talked about by many practitioners and customers. She was aware of her position and responsibility, and she never hesitated to hold back from teaching artisans, designers and craft practitioners what it takes to revive the lost craft of natural dyes, nakshi kantha and Jamdani. I am so honored she chose me to be her apprentice, I am sure I have disappointed her many times, but I also like to think I that in some way I have also made her proud. I have lost my mentor, my guru. Her words still resonate in my heart. I have been her shadow in Aranya for so long, I really do not know how to move forward without her. Ruby Chachi gave a new meaning to my life – I hope I have what it takes to continue taking her world forward.
Beyond her work with crafts, Ruby was a relentless champion for the betterment of society, serving as the Country Delegate for Terres Des Hommes and long-time member of Naripokkho, as well as a trustee of Transparency International Bangladesh. After the Liberation War, she devoted herself to the rehabilitation centre set up for women who had lost their homes, and families, and/or been raped during the war. She was a counsellor to survivors of war rape who underwent late-term abortions or had to give up their babies for adoption abroad, as per policy at that time. These rehabilitation centres also provided training and job placements for these women, for eg, stitching kathas and shawls, and embroidering or weaving mats and baskets, which were then sold at various government-run retail points. Some of the handicrafts sourced and marketed at KARIKA came from women who were trained at these centres.
Ruby Ghuznavi was a visionary, a fighter for women’s rights and a shining example of grace and purpose. Her passing has left a hole in our hearts that will last forever, as it appears improbable to get another torch bearer that would match finesse and impact for generations to come.
Tasnim Azim President NARIPOKKHO
Ruby Ghuznavi had been Naripokkho’s companion for the past 39 years. She was our former president, leader of Naripokkho’s environmental movement and founder of ’71 Er Je Narider Bhulechi’, which aimed to improve the lives of our Birangana sisters. Credited for her immeasurable contributions to the revival of natural dyes, the proliferation of local crafts and Jamdani, Ruby apa was also a leader in raising environmental awareness in the country. Ruby Ghuznavi will forever live in our hearts as a torchbearer for Bangladesh’s local artisans, ecological conservation and women’s rights. She will continue to inspire us in Naripokkho to carry on the work on crucial issues affecting women that are often neglected or even actively suppressed by society and, at the same time to expand our horizons to better understand and preserve our rich ecological heritage.